Hiromi, Balloon Pop Review

Hiromi’s ‘Balloon Pop’ Floats, Soars, and Explodes with Energy

By Sylvannia Garutch

Hiromi’s new single “Balloon Pop” from her upcoming album Out There (due April 4, 2025, via Telarc) hits listeners with an effervescent energy that is unmistakably Hiromi. This track is a whirlwind of playful musical interactions and a fearless embrace of sonic exploration. The opening sound greeting the listener is a buoyant synth lead, a familiar hallmark of Hiromi’s forward-thinking approach to jazz. The playful nature of the track is immediately clear, and when the ensemble enters with their deep well of groove, it gets exciting.

The rhythmic foundation laid down by bassist Hadrien Feraud and drummer Gene Coye is initially deceptively simple, but the layers are built in delightful, unpredictable ways. Feraud’s bass playing carries a playful aura. His lines groove fluidly beneath Hiromi’s staccato piano stabs, while Coye’s drumming takes on a narrative quality between the two, adding texture and pace that moves the music forward. His drum breaks showcase the dynamics and the rich emotional range of his playing while remaining tightly synced with the others. Trumpeter Adam O’Farrill’s solo gives the music a modern jazz feel, and the way he uses electronic pedals to create expansive sonic textures finds a line between acoustic and electric jazz of the eighties.

As the track progresses, the energy builds through developing interactions and modulations, and time feels changes. These shifts give the experience of expanding as the song’s mystery and tension unfold. The ensemble takes full advantage of each change, offering up a conversational sequence of rising and falling phrases that showcase the group’s extraordinary cohesion. Hiromi, ever the virtuoso, steps forward with her joyful, cascading runs, sending the track into a new sonic territory.

The track’s final moments are a musical party as the interaction between all four musicians reaches a telepathic level. The fun is palpable; it’s the kind of track that you can imagine bringing down the house in a live performance. The fact that “Balloon Pop” is available in Spatial Audio on Apple Music only amplifies its immersive qualities, allowing listeners to experience the brilliance of the ensemble from every angle.

Ultimately, “Balloon Pop” is a teaser for what promises to be a thrilling album. It encapsulates the playful curiosity and virtuosic prowess that Hiromi has become known for, all while expanding the boundaries of jazz fusion. It’s fun, thoughtful, and wild—just as Hiromi invites us to expect from Out There.